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Powerful Scientologists
The Church of Scientology claims notable members in high places, from Hollywood to the Beltway. The teachings of science fiction writer-turned-religious leader L. Ron Hubbard speak to VIPs including Tom Cruise and Sonny Bono. Hubbard would have been 101 this March, so Powerwall rounds up some of his religion's most powerful members.
Tom Cruise
These days, Hollywood's most famous action star is equally renowned for his religious beliefs. Over the years, Tom Cruise has been Scientology's most visible advocate. Tom is an Operating Thetan Level 7 -- one of the highest levels of spiritual awareness -- and a recent unauthorized biography claimed that Cruise "lives and breathes" the religion. Cruise gives as much as he gets, though. Over the years, he's donated millions of dollars to the group. Still, Tom's clout hasn't protected him from criticism. When a video Cruise had made for a Scientology event circulated around the Internet, the dubious public went wild over his staunch beliefs.
David Miscavige
If the whole really is greater than its parts, then David Miscavige might be the most powerful Scientologist of them all. Sure, he's not an A-list celeb, politician or businessman, but he's influential among every Scientologist out there. Proof? He was also the best man in Tom Cruise's wedding to Katie Holmes. Miscavige is the church's leader, and he pulls the strings in the organization.
Sky Dayton
Remember dial-up? Unlimited Internet may seem like a basic constitutional right today, but back in 1995 -- before wireless -- Sky Dayton's EarthLink was the first to offer that freedom with a simple ISP. Today, the company focuses on IT, network and communication services for business, but we have Dayton -- who's also the founder and chairman of Wi-Fi operator Boingo -- to thank for setting the user-friendly Internet age into motion.
Sonny Bono
The '70s pop icon became a politician in 1988 -- a year after he cast his first vote -- when he was elected mayor of Palm Springs, Calif., but a career switch wasn't his only big life change. Bono was raised Catholic, but he dabbled in Scientology while married to Cher. While she lost interest, Scientology stuck with Bono, and when founder L. Ron Hubbard died in 1986, Bono wrote, "My only sorrow is that L. Ron Hubbard left before I could thank him for my new life." While he never officially accepted Scientology as a religion, Sonny remained connected to the organization throughout his life.
John Travolta
When John Travolta burst onto the scene with Grease and Saturday Night Fever in the late '70s, he wasn't just a fresh face in Hollywood. He was also a newly minted Scientologist. The actor, who was raised Roman Catholic, converted to the religion in 1975. His devotion to Scientology is strong, despite the fact that the church doesn't recognize autism, a disorder his late son, Jett, suffered from. When Jett died at 16 from seizure-caused head injuries, Travolta -- who'd previously denied his son's autism -- acknowledged the boy's disability in court. Regardless of the conflicting views on Jett's disorder, Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston, attributed their healing process to the help of the church.
Greta van Susteren
The Fox News host and her lawyer husband, John Coale, are careful to keep their religious views on the DL. Scientology isn't exactly accepted on the Beltway or in the legal field, but that doesn't mean Greta and John aren't faithful to Xenu. The power couple may not be arguing their religious views with Matt Lauer on national TV, but they're nonetheless active members.
Lisa Marie Presley
In 2004, Lisa Marie Presley sold dad Elvis' estate (minus Graceland!) for approximately $100 million. Presley isn't just a wealthy heiress, though -- she's also a singer, activist and humanitarian. But she hasn't gotten where she is without a little guidance. The rock 'n' roll princess credits her life's stability to Scientology, saying, "Were it not for Scientology, I would either be completely insane or dead by now."
Peaches Geldof
As the daughter of British rocker Bob Geldof and late journalist Paula Yates, this model and media personality is accustomed to life in the limelight. The socialite revealed that she'd begun exploring Scientology in 2009, explaining, "I was confused about what path to go through, and I feel like I needed a spiritual path."
James Packer
One of the church's most notable -- and deep-pocketed -- members left the organization in 2008. Australian media mogul James Packer, who was introduced to Scientology by friend Tom Cruise, had reached high levels in the group, thanks in part to his friends in high places. After half a decade in the church, the billionaire parted ways with Scientology and resumed plans to expand his casino empire.
Paul Haggis
It's no surprise that Scientology's outlying beliefs and practices have drawn more than a few critics, perhaps none so damaging as high-profile member Paul Haggis. The Oscar-winning screen writer left the church after 34 years, and in 2011, Haggis wrote a scathing New Yorker profile replete with the church's alleged dirty secrets.
From human trafficking to brain washing, the article spared no incriminating detail. Haggis may have left the church, but with his tell-all story, he proved he still holds some power.
Powerful Scientologists
The Church of Scientology claims notable members in high places, from Hollywood to the Beltway. The teachings of science fiction writer-turned-religious leader L. Ron Hubbard speak to VIPs including Tom Cruise and Sonny Bono. Hubbard would have been 101 this March, so Powerwall rounds up some of his religion's most powerful members.
Tom Cruise
These days, Hollywood's most famous action star is equally renowned for his religious beliefs. Over the years, Tom Cruise has been Scientology's most visible advocate. Tom is an Operating Thetan Level 7 -- one of the highest levels of spiritual awareness -- and a recent unauthorized biography claimed that Cruise "lives and breathes" the religion. Cruise gives as much as he gets, though. Over the years, he's donated millions of dollars to the group. Still, Tom's clout hasn't protected him from criticism. When a video Cruise had made for a Scientology event circulated around the Internet, the dubious public went wild over his staunch beliefs.
David Miscavige
If the whole really is greater than its parts, then David Miscavige might be the most powerful Scientologist of them all. Sure, he's not an A-list celeb, politician or businessman, but he's influential among every Scientologist out there. Proof? He was also the best man in Tom Cruise's wedding to Katie Holmes. Miscavige is the church's leader, and he pulls the strings in the organization.
Sky Dayton
Remember dial-up? Unlimited Internet may seem like a basic constitutional right today, but back in 1995 -- before wireless -- Sky Dayton's EarthLink was the first to offer that freedom with a simple ISP. Today, the company focuses on IT, network and communication services for business, but we have Dayton -- who's also the founder and chairman of Wi-Fi operator Boingo -- to thank for setting the user-friendly Internet age into motion.
Sonny Bono
The '70s pop icon became a politician in 1988 -- a year after he cast his first vote -- when he was elected mayor of Palm Springs, Calif., but a career switch wasn't his only big life change. Bono was raised Catholic, but he dabbled in Scientology while married to Cher. While she lost interest, Scientology stuck with Bono, and when founder L. Ron Hubbard died in 1986, Bono wrote, "My only sorrow is that L. Ron Hubbard left before I could thank him for my new life." While he never officially accepted Scientology as a religion, Sonny remained connected to the organization throughout his life.
John Travolta
When John Travolta burst onto the scene with Grease and Saturday Night Fever in the late '70s, he wasn't just a fresh face in Hollywood. He was also a newly minted Scientologist. The actor, who was raised Roman Catholic, converted to the religion in 1975. His devotion to Scientology is strong, despite the fact that the church doesn't recognize autism, a disorder his late son, Jett, suffered from. When Jett died at 16 from seizure-caused head injuries, Travolta -- who'd previously denied his son's autism -- acknowledged the boy's disability in court. Regardless of the conflicting views on Jett's disorder, Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston, attributed their healing process to the help of the church.
Greta van Susteren
The Fox News host and her lawyer husband, John Coale, are careful to keep their religious views on the DL. Scientology isn't exactly accepted on the Beltway or in the legal field, but that doesn't mean Greta and John aren't faithful to Xenu. The power couple may not be arguing their religious views with Matt Lauer on national TV, but they're nonetheless active members.
Lisa Marie Presley
In 2004, Lisa Marie Presley sold dad Elvis' estate (minus Graceland!) for approximately $100 million. Presley isn't just a wealthy heiress, though -- she's also a singer, activist and humanitarian. But she hasn't gotten where she is without a little guidance. The rock 'n' roll princess credits her life's stability to Scientology, saying, "Were it not for Scientology, I would either be completely insane or dead by now."
Peaches Geldof
As the daughter of British rocker Bob Geldof and late journalist Paula Yates, this model and media personality is accustomed to life in the limelight. The socialite revealed that she'd begun exploring Scientology in 2009, explaining, "I was confused about what path to go through, and I feel like I needed a spiritual path."
James Packer
One of the church's most notable -- and deep-pocketed -- members left the organization in 2008. Australian media mogul James Packer, who was introduced to Scientology by friend Tom Cruise, had reached high levels in the group, thanks in part to his friends in high places. After half a decade in the church, the billionaire parted ways with Scientology and resumed plans to expand his casino empire.
Paul Haggis
It's no surprise that Scientology's outlying beliefs and practices have drawn more than a few critics, perhaps none so damaging as high-profile member Paul Haggis. The Oscar-winning screen writer left the church after 34 years, and in 2011, Haggis wrote a scathing New Yorker profile replete with the church's alleged dirty secrets.
From human trafficking to brain washing, the article spared no incriminating detail. Haggis may have left the church, but with his tell-all story, he proved he still holds some power.